Portable Navigation Device Vibration Phantom Sensation Guidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for pedestrians that rely on tactile stimulation, such as vibration, either require users to actively explore the direction or have complex and costly control systems, limiting their effectiveness and safety.
Innovation Solution
A portable navigation device using vibration PS (phantom sensation) with at least three vibration elements on a portable terminal's housing to intuitively guide users by varying vibration intensity ratios, allowing users to perceive the destination direction without visual reliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual display on screen is used to guide direction, then navigation information is clearly presented, but user safety deteriorates due to distraction from surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual display (optical system) with vibration feedback (mechanical system) for direction guidance. Vibration elements generate tactile sensations that communicate navigation direction to the user without requiring visual attention, thus maintaining information delivery while eliminating the safety hazard of distraction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vibration elements as an intermediary between the navigation system and the user. Instead of directly presenting visual information that competes for the user's attention, the system uses tactile vibration as a mediator to convey directional information through the device housing, allowing users to perceive navigation cues while maintaining situational awareness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration is used to present direction, then user safety is improved by reducing visual dependence, but navigation effectiveness deteriorates because users must actively explore the destination direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by generating vibration at specific locations on the device housing corresponding to directional information. Different vibration elements are activated based on the destination direction, creating localized tactile cues that intuitively guide users without requiring active exploration. The vibration pattern encodes directional information in its spatial distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously provides vibration feedback that reflects the user's orientation relative to the destination. As users move or rotate the device, the vibration pattern dynamically adjusts to indicate whether they are moving toward or away from the destination, providing real-time guidance that eliminates the need for active exploration while maintaining intuitive direction presentation
3Measurement precision
If complex control systems are used for tactile navigation, then navigation precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the device's existing vibration mechanism (originally designed for notifications) to provide navigation feedback. The system leverages the inherent capabilities of the portable terminal rather than introducing complex dedicated actuators, thereby achieving precise directional presentation through software control of existing hardware components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and intuitive navigation by continuously presenting the destination direction through tactile sensation, reducing the risk of accidents and simplifying the device structure compared to existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A portable navigation device using vibration PS (phantom sensation) with at least three vibration elements on a portable terminal's housing to intuitively guide users by varying vibration intensity ratios
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A portable navigation device and method are capable of presenting a destination direction to a user without resorting to visual sensation with a relatively simple configuration. Vibration elements are disposed on or in different positions of a housing. The respective vibration intensities of the vibration elements are determined on the basis of an angular difference θ between a destination direction Vn and a terminal direction Vd. The vibration elements are respectively controlled in accordance with the determined vibration intensities. The position of a vibration, which is obtained as a result of blending vibrations of the vibration elements is sensed by a user.